Right-Wing Blogger Hal Turner Surrenders To Capitol Police

New Jersey Internet radio host Hal Turner, wanted by Capitol police for encouraging Connecticut residents to "take up arms" against three state officials, surrendered today.

"I am pleased that Mr. Turner was able to turn himself in today to the Capitol Police in Hartford without incident," said Matthew R. Potter, one of Turner's Connecticut lawyers.

Turner has been charged with inciting injury to person or property, a class C felony. He was able to post bond and his case is scheduled for an initial appearance at Hartford Superior Court on June 22.

Turner, who has been identified as a white supremacist and anti-Semite by several anti-racism groups, hosts an Internet radio program with an associated blog. Blogger, a blog publishing service, has pulled Turner's blog and is reviewing for possible terms of service violations.

His lawyer in New Jersey, Michael Orozco, issued a statement saying Turner was practicing his right to free speech when he described on his website June 2 certain conduct by Connecticut officials as tyrannical and encouraged residents of the state to "put down this tyranny."

"Though many people may not agree with Mr. Turner's views, his First Amendment right must still be protected," the statement reads.

Turner's blog included a post that promised to release the home addresses of state Rep. Michael Lawlor, state Sen. Andrew McDonald and Thomas Jones of the State Ethics Office.

"It is our intent to foment direct action against these individuals personally," the blog stated. "These beastly government officials should be made an example of as a warning to others in government: Obey the Constitution or die."

The remarks on the blog were a reaction to the recent controversy over a bill before the legislature's judiciary committee that would have changed the way the Roman Catholic Church is governed, taking power away from church officials and turning it over to lay members.

The bill was pulled in mid-March following an outcry from Catholics across the state and questions about its constitutionality. Lawlor and McDonald are co-chairman of the committee.

Capitol police learned of the June 2 blog posts that same day from one of the targeted lawmakers.